Director, Software | JAX Data Science - Software Platforms & Products

Job Summary

As a strategic leader within the JAX Data Science Software & Platforms team, you will be at the forefront of advancing biomedical research through the development of high-impact software products and platforms. Reporting directly to the Executive Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer, you will play a pivotal role in transforming complex research and business challenges into scalable, innovative solutions that harness the power of biological data, artificial intelligence, and modern cloud-native architectures.

In this leadership role, you will lead cross-functional teams of software engineers, scientists, and analysts to drive the full lifecycle of software development—from vision and planning through delivery and ongoing optimization. You will shape product strategy, define technical standards, manage financial performance, and ensure alignment with JAX’s institutional goals. Your work will enable the integration of diverse data sources, accelerate discovery across human and mammalian model systems, and support translational science efforts that benefit the global biomedical community.

This is a hybrid role based in Portland, Maine that requires close collaboration with stakeholders across JAX’s locations in Bar Harbor, ME, and Farmington, CT, and provides an exciting opportunity to lead innovation at the intersection of data science, AI, and cutting-edge biomedical research.

What You Contribute

• Lead strategic engagements with clients, institutional leadership, and stakeholders by providing technical expertise, product insights, and aligning initiatives with organizational goals.
• Develop business cases in collaboration with scientific and operational stakeholders to support prioritization and secure approval for high-level initiatives.
• Own the financial strategy for software products under the director’s portfolio, managing overhead, budgets, and tracking return on investment (ROI).
• Define and maintain a capability roadmap that aligns with institutional strategy, prioritizes high-impact deliverables, and ensures timely, on-budget delivery of features and capabilities.
• Drive product clarity by establishing the product’s purpose, value proposition, KPIs, and core business/software requirements.
• Ensure data-driven software solutions by collaborating with the JDS Data Assets group and other partners to define data relationships, integrations, and dependencies.
• Lead lifecycle planning for applications, including software sustainability, maintenance, and decommissioning/end-of-life (EOL) strategies.
• Establish and monitor KPIs to track software performance, proactively identify bottlenecks, and ensure resolution through the appropriate teams.
• Standardize software development practices by creating and enforcing SOPs, establishing clear workflows, and tracking outcomes for continuous improvement.
• Stay current on emerging technologies such as AI, cloud-native architectures, and DevOps trends; assess and apply these innovations to JAX’s software development strategy.
• Identify and mitigate risks across projects, implementing proactive measures and fostering a culture of accountability.
• Collaborate as a member of the JDS leadership team to identify and pursue new business opportunities and strategic partnerships.

What You’re Good At

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Data Science, or related field; Master’s degree preferred.
• At least 6 years of relevant experience leading software teams.
• Proven success in delivering value through software solutions, especially in commercial or start-up environments with measurable outcomes, proving success.
• Expertise in taking a research software product/platform from development to commercialization preferred.
• Experience leading an integrated software portfolio deployed in a cloud environment and managing the full application lifecycle.
• Deep expertise and proven track record in modern software development, with a strong foundation in AI/ML applications and platform architecture.
• Exposure to open source technologies and familiarity with their role in enterprise-level development.
• Preferred experience with graph database technologies and their application in scientific data integration or modeling.
• Demonstrated expertise in programming languages, frameworks, and software architecture.
• Exposure to data and backend systems and management of these environments.
• Ability to develop, implement, and maintain architectural and technical standards in collaboration with IT, research, and commercial teams for software solutions.
• Ability to ensure technical decisions align with business goals and timelines.
• Ability to manage large development teams, instill cohesive teamwork, drive productivity, and prioritize projects.
• Technical leadership across all phases of the software development and delivery lifecycle.
• Project management and leadership expertise, including project planning, coordination, budget management, and working with C-suite stakeholders.
• Ability to allocate tasks based on team members’ expertise and project needs
• Experience with agile project management methodologies.
• Demonstrated ability to work across disciplines and engage with complex scientific domains.
• Strong communicator with the ability to bridge technical and non-technical stakeholders and translate business strategy into actionable product roadmaps.
• Skilled in mentoring and knowledge-sharing to build team capability and cohesion.

The salary range is $136,461 - $228,467. Salary will be determined based on qualifications and relevant experience.

About JAX:

The Jackson Laboratory is an independent, nonprofit biomedical research institution with a National Cancer Institute-designated Cancer Center and nearly 3,000 employees in locations across the United States (Maine, Connecticut, California), Japan and China. Its mission is to discover precise genomic solutions for disease and empower the global biomedical community in the shared quest to improve human health.

Founded in 1929, JAX applies over nine decades of expertise in genetics to increase understanding of human disease, advancing treatments and cures for cancer, neurological and immune disorders, diabetes, aging and heart disease. It models and interprets genomic complexity, integrates basic research with clinical application, educates current and future scientists, and provides critical data, tools and services to the global biomedical community. For more information, please visit www.jax.org​​​​​​​.

EEO Statement:

The Jackson Laboratory provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment in all job classifications without regard to race, color, religion, age, mental disability, physical disability, medical condition, gender, sexual orientation, genetic information, ancestry, marital status, national origin, veteran status, and other classifications protected by applicable state and local non-discrimination laws.